Method and apparatus for communication using multiple carriers

Abstract

A method and apparatus for communication using multiple carriers is provided. A mobile station receives information regarding at least one assigned carrier selected from the available carriers based on the multiple carrier capability from a base station. The mobile station activates or inactivates the at least one assigned carrier by receiving a message comprising information indicating activation or inactivation of the at least one assigned carrier from the base station. Signaling overhead for managing multiple carriers may be reduced.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for communication using multiple carriers in a wireless communication system, the method performed by a mobile station and comprising:
 receiving, by the mobile station, a first message from a base station, the first message including multiple carrier information regarding available carriers; 
 transmitting, by the mobile station, multiple carrier capability to the base station; 
 receiving, by the mobile station, a second message from the base station, the second message including information regarding at least one assigned carrier selected from the available carriers based on the multiple carrier capability; 
 receiving, from the base station, a third message including information indicating activation or deactivation of the selected at least one assigned carrier; 
 activating or deactivating, by the mobile station, the selected at least one assigned carrier according to the third message; and 
 transmitting or receiving, by the mobile station, data by using the activated at least one assigned carrier when the at least one assigned carrier is activated. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first message is received via a primary carrier. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the third message is received via the primary carrier. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the available carriers are referenced by a physical index unique to the base station; and 
 the activation or deactivation of the at least one assigned carrier is referenced by a logical index unique to the mobile station. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the activation or deactivation of the selected at least one assigned carrier is determined based on a quality of service (QoS) requirement or a load condition of the base station. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first message, the second message and the third message are received via a primary carrier that is a carrier via which the mobile station completes initial network entry. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the multiple carrier information includes a number of the available carriers and physical carrier indexes for the number of the available carriers. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the third message further includes information indicating whether periodic ranging is required for the activated at least one assigned carrier. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting, by the mobile station, a confirmation message to the base station in order to confirm the activation of the selected at least one assigned carrier. 
 
     
     
       10. A method for communication using multiple carriers in a wireless communication system, the method performed by a base station and comprising:
 transmitting, by a base station, a first message to a mobile station, the first message including multiple carrier information regarding available carriers; 
 transmitting, by the base station, a second message to the mobile station, the second message including information regarding at least one assigned carrier selected from the available carriers; 
 determining, by the base station, whether to activate or deactivate the selected at least one carrier; and 
 transmitting, by the base station, a third message to the mobile station, the third message including information indicating activation or deactivation of the selected at least one assigned carrier. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the available carriers are referenced by a physical index that is unique to the base station; and 
 the activation or deactivation of the selected at least one assigned carrier is referenced by a logical index that is unique to the mobile station. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the activation or deactivation of the selected at least one assigned carrier is determined based on a quality of service (QoS) requirement or a load condition of the base station. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising receiving, by the base station, multiple carrier capability from the mobile station, wherein the selection of the at least one assigned carrier is based on the multiple carrier capability. 
     
     
       14. A mobile station comprising:
 a radio frequency (RF) unit configured to transmit and receive radio signals; and 
 a processor operatively coupled to the RF unit and configured to: 
 receive a first message from a base station, the first message including multiple carrier information regarding available carriers; 
 transmit multiple carrier capability to the base station; 
 receive a second message from the base station, the second message including information regarding at least one assigned carrier selected from the available carriers based on the multiple carrier capability; 
 receive a third message from the base station, the third message including information indicating activation or deactivation of the at least one assigned carrier; 
 activate or deactivate the selected at least one assigned carrier according to the third message; and 
 transmit or receive data by using the activated at least one assigned carrier when the at least one assigned carrier is activated. 
 
     
     
       15. The mobile station of  claim 14 , wherein the first message is received via a primary carrier. 
     
     
       16. The mobile station of  claim 15 , wherein the third message is received via the primary carrier. 
     
     
       17. The mobile station of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the available carriers are referenced by a physical index that is unique to the base station; and 
 the activation or deactivation of the selected at least one assigned carrier is referenced by a logical index that is unique to the mobile station.